Cole strikes gold to close Paralympics

Monday, 19 September 2016

ACU student Ellie Cole has produced a stunning closing weekend of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, headlined by two gold medal performances.

Coming off a two silver medals and a bronze medal in the opening stage of the swimming competition, 24-year-old Ellie broke through for gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay on Friday morning before adding a second on Saturday in the 100m backstroke final.

Ellie capped off an outstanding Paralympic campaign with a sixth medal as part of the women’s 4x100m medley relay team that claimed silver.

The six-medal swag from the triple Paralympian (two gold, three silver and one bronze), takes her career tally to 15 Paralympic medals, including a remarkable six gold.

In the table tennis hall, ACU graduate Milly Tapper led the Australian women’s team to the bronze medal playoff, going down to Brazil in a tight and final match.

Both Milly and Ellie have been part of ACU’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) during their Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science degrees. EAPP provides students who are athletes and performers with support and assistance as they aim to compete and perform on the biggest stage.